By Michelle Greenwell
There are many ways to interpret the words: “The Business of Being Better”. We can refer to our health as a business model that needs dedication, learning and growing to gain improvement. In this learning process we realize that our self-care is a dedication to ourselves and our health. What happens when our goals exceed our personal self-care? We sign up for more classes, we play with more techniques, we become instructors, and we strive to share our fantastic secret of energy, vitality and health with the world. This is when the “Business of Being Better” brings us to a new level of understanding for both science and health. Two of the phrases I hear often from people when I explain muscle testing is: “I do believe it works, really!” or “I just can’t understand how it has any validity in science.” These two phrases are a result of the science not reaching the mainstream, and my not being able to explain how Specialized Kinesiology works, and how in-depth the science is. As Qi Gong master, Chunyi Lin, once said in an audio presentation on Healing with the Masters with Jennifer MacLean, “whether you believe or don’t believe, it still exists.” Our ability to monitor the Qi in the body through a simple muscle test is fantastic and valid, and if we express it as autonomic response testing to assess changes in bioelectric mechanisms, (Klinghart), we have entered biophysics. My goal through this article is to provide you with some of the science and background you might not know about, so you can also explain our techniques and outcomes in a much more informed and science-based way.
In the Spark in the Machine: How the Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine, Dr. Daniel Keown identifies how the body develops from the moment of conception. The division of the cell and the power within the cells as they grow and develop are identified by the word “Qi” from Chinese Medicine and Eastern theory. Western medicine identifies this energy through biochemistry with growth factors and morphogens as cell structure and growth, (p. 82). The eastern desire to find the cause of the disease or epidemiology and the intercellular communication of Qi through the meridian pathways is based on the observations of the development of the fetus. Specifically, Dr. Keown clearly illustrates the embryo development past the first basic cells, as it begins to unwind and expand and lengthen to create a full length of communication between tissue that most scientists would not identify as linked in any way. Further, the electrical expression of information that travels faster than the speed of light with physical manipulation of the fascial network illustrates the link of information to muscles, ligaments, tendons and more. He also continues to discuss the creation of dis-ease when stagnant energy or “Qi” becomes blocked and affects an entire system including organs and emotions.
stagnant energy or “Qi” becomes blocked and affects an entire system including organs and emotions.
Many people question the meridian lines. They find it hard to believe there are electrical currents that are running through the body and that the pass of a hand over the space can change anything. The meridian lines can be seen with a low magnification surgical microscope and were first seen and recognized in North Korea in the 1960’s by Kim Bonghan. They have been referred to as the Bonghan Channels and contain a flowing liquid that includes hyaluronic acid, a substance that lubricates the joints, eyes, skin and heart valves, (David Milbradt, www.prestopaingo.com). In science this is also referred to as the Primo Vascular System. Bonghan also identified two aspects to the system, the primo-vessel (Bonghan duct) and the primo-node (Bonghan corpuscle), which link to meridians and acupoints respectively. Further reflection to the meridians is their relationship with regulating muscles, tissue and tendons through the fascia network, (Lee and Soh, 2010). In Evelyn Mulders book, The Essence of Sound, she identifies the intricate connections that exist within the tissue and how it is the responsibility of the figure eight pattern to create a connection for all the meridians and bring them into a coherence with the chakra system, nerve plexus, or the endocrine system as western medicine refers to it.
In western publications in Human Kinetics there is no link of the meridians and elements to the chakras, the nerve plexus or the endocrine system, (www.humankinetics.com).
From the Sophia Health Institute, Dr. Klinghart, uses muscle testing or muscle biofeedback as a non-intrusive way to gain trust with children to help with their healing, and as an assessment tool to assess the 5 phases of healing that cannot be accessed by regular monitoring means. He calls this Autonomic Response Testing (ART) and describes it as “a biofeedback enhanced physical exam which uses changes in muscle tone as a primary indicator.” His approach identifies the area that western medicine devotes much of its attention, level 1. Physical (Chemical and structure). However, when resolution to illness does not happen at this level, it is imperative to use ART to address issues at the other levels: 2. Energy Level (electromagnetic environment), 3. Mental (childhood experiences that leave lasting impact), 4. Nonlocal/Nontime (past life, previous family members or family constellation work, influences from other realities), 5. Relationship with the Divine, www.sophiahealthinstitute.com. In specialized kinesiology we also use similar checklists to obtain information and direction for more aspects of life than just the physical, the wholistic approach.
Exploring the background of science, it needs to know what is being measured and how. The gold standard for trials are double-blind randomized controlled trials (DBRCT) where they try to eliminate or reduce the ability of observer bias as well as a placebo effect. The use of such a trial study with acupuncture has produced inconclusive results due to the fact that there are no “sham” points, and every point will have an effect somewhere in the body, so it is impossible to know what exactly the “sham” points are doing in comparison to the “set” points. Western medicine will use an approach of reductionistic conclusion that a symptom has a diagnosis and there is a set treatment plan to follow, then see what happens. The Eastern approach may be many different ways to reach the release of a symptom and correct an energy imbalance, it will be the individuals personal Qi that will determine the best course of action to recover the energy imbalance and create a strong flow that will release the symptomology (Keown, p 266).
The ability to convey to research buffs the difference in approach, as well as the limitation of a standardized control trial is important for laypeople to understand that we are all unique and in the Specialized Kinesiology techniques, each individual will react differently and require a different approach to reach their desired response of pain reduction or ease of movement. With proper documentation and understanding, the techniques and skills developed through Specialized Kinesiology training can be supported, clearly understood and linked into the scientific world. It does look like magic when we can trace a line and have a pain disappear or a muscle engage. But, if we refrain from making a “parlor trick” and we focus on the biophysical aspects of the techniques, we can bring the conversation into an educated experience. Taking the Business of Being Better deeper, it is worth everyone’s while to continue to study. Refrain from taking things at face value. Do your research. Find your sources. Read the reference pages at the back of your books. Reference studies and give credit where credit is due for the professionals who have brought knowledge forward or developed techniques for us to use.
When you want to know a specific skill, search out the best practitioner to guide you through the learning. Find a mentor who can continue to enhance your skills and develop your dialogue for trustworthy sources. Complementary and Alternative Medicine is growing in the university setting. Master’s and Doctorate degrees can be obtained for Health and Wellness in Dynamic Kinesiology, Energy Kinesiology and more. Lastly, make each new technique yours. Play with it, experience it for yourself and with others, and get to know how it works, where it works, and how it fits with your other tools in the toolbox. Your level of expertise will make a client, friend or family member comfortable with your knowledge and expertise and begin to bring out the conversation of Specialized Kinesiology in a new and confident way.
Michelle Greenwell is a Touch for Health Instructor working on her Master’s Thesis in CAM using movement and the Qi YINtegration program as a part of her research. She has just released her second book: “My Little Black Book of Qi: Qi YINtegration Set 1” with video footage so that she can share her passion for movement and muscle testing with those that cannot get to a class or workshop with her. For more information www.dancedebut.com, and her books and videos can be found in the store on her website.
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